Pastor John MacArthur hospitalized for heart surgery complications

The prominent California pastor is in the hospital receiving treatment for residual symptoms from his July heart valve replacement, according to Grace Community Church elder Phil Johnson. MacArthur’s recovery has been slower than expected, with occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs, and kidneys, according to a video of a Sunday church announcement posted by Johnson. Doctors have been unable to identify a cause, and MacArthur has been hospitalized for the past two weeks, according to the announcement.

Why is this coming out now? Johnson took to social media last week to dispel rumors that the 85-year-old pastor had entered palliative care. The elder said the pastor’s symptoms lingering after surgery was concerning but added it was a private matter and only those who needed to know received details. Answering thousands of questions about one’s health is tiring and it’s been a longstanding policy of MacArthur’s not to issue public announcements about his health, according to Johnson. The MacArthur family has the prerogative to make health announcements whenever they see fit, Johnson added.

MacArthur serves as the pastor-teacher of the nondenominational Los Angeles-area megachurch, while also serving as chancellor of the nearby Master’s University and Seminary. He founded the media non-profit Grace to You in 1969 to develop, produce, and distribute his books and other media resources, like radio and television programs. He’s often seen as a respected evangelical known for his expository preaching style and theological writings, according to The MacArthur Center.

Did the church know about the surgery? Congregants were informed of the seemingly unplanned procedure when it took place in July. MacArthur was scheduled to preach on July 14 when a church leader informed the congregation that the pastor needed serious surgery, according to a report by ChurchLeaders. The following week, congregants were told that MacArthur’s surgery to receive a new aortic valve was a success and the pastor was recovering well at home. MacArthur publicly acknowledged the surgery after his return to the pulpit, most recently during a sermon in late November. The elderly pastor praised God for keeping him alive after he received several surgeries on his heart and lungs in recent months.

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s report about Season Five of The Chosen to hear MacArthur’s criticisms of the hit Christian TV show.